Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show there were 313 attacks on officers by members of the public across the West Yorkshire area last year, with 174 injured during minor or violent struggles. The statistics, from officer ‘injury on duty’ forms, also show 70 officers were hurt as a suspect resisted arrest, 26 were struck by an object and 11 were bitten.

Fifteen officers suffered fractures or crush injuries, 56 with bruises, 48 with multiple minor injuries and two with dislocations.

I am a journalist and author. I am a staff writer at the UK edition of WIRED magazine and in 2015 my book, Freedom of Information: A Practical Guide for UK Journalists, was published. I created FOI Directory in 2012.